Senate OKs mandatory DNA testing bill

The Texas Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a DNA-testing proposal seeking to prevent wrongful convictions and costly delays to state executions.

State Sen. Rodney Ellis’ SB 1292 requires the state to pay for all biological evidence to be collected and DNA tested prior to a trial in cases where the defendant could receive the death penalty.

“We know that, sometimes, we get the wrong person,” said Ellis, D-Houston. “SB 1292 will ensure we avoid both the possibility of the wrong person serving years on Death Row and the far worse specter of putting to death an innocent person.”